The head lice bite your sculp and the bites are very itchy. The bite marks look like bumps and are red. Scratching can lead to an infection. You may also have head lice but no symptoms at all.
Use a fine-toothed comb when looking for head lice and nits. Wet the hair and apply conditioner, then comb through the untangled hair twice over from the roots to the ends. If head lice are detected in a family, the hair of all family members should be checked.
Only the family members who have head lice are treated with anti-lice treatment shampoo containing permethrin or another anti-lice solution. Pharmacy staff will help you select the right product, if necessary.
Comb the hair thoroughly with a fine-toothed comb before and after the shampoo treatment. Do not apply conditioner to your hair before the treatment. Dry the comb after each stroke with tissue paper to make sure the lice do not get back to the hair. Continue to comb with the fine-toothed comb at least every second day for two weeks.
Washing bedlinen as well as hats and scarfs may also help. You have to inform all those who are in contact with the person who got head lice; for instance friends and a child’s school. To prevent head lice from spreading, keep hats and scarfs tucked in the sleeve of the coat when left in coat racks.
You should seek medical advice, if
- the head lice don’t disappear despite your best home-care efforts and prevention of reinfestation.
Emergency care professionals have produced the instruction in collaboration with Terveyskirjasto.
